Tunnel lining



Oct. 30, 1934. E w g 1,979,238

TUNNEL LINING Filed July 31, 1934 09pm z. wweo g W 6MZZM 1A4/MA Mo WOWMWPatented Oct. 30, 1934 7? AT OFFiCE TUNNEL IZINING Arthur E. Wilkoflt',Niles, Ohio, assignor to Youngstown Steel Car Corporation, a corporationof Ohio Application July 31, 1934, Serial No. 737,832

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to tunnel linings, hollow shaftings andlike structures which are built up of' metal plates and arranged toresist the pressure of earth, water and like materials.

In the construction of tunnel linings for example, a metal shield orlining is usually erected by assembling a plurality of rectangular metalliner plates to progressively line the tunnel shaft as it isprogressively dug. For convenience, in

the handling of these plates, they advantageously are of minimum weightand in order to give adequate strength to the lining it is the custom toprovide a plurality of transversely extending, longitudinallyspaced'arch ribs to which the plates are bolted. These ribs heretoforehave been of structural beam shapes, such as I-beams or With aview toeconomy of construction and simplicity and ease in assembling thetunnellining, I'have' improvedthe'form of arch rib by providing a channelsection, preferably of a pressed section adapted to extend across thetunnel and provide support to which the liner plates may be boltedor'otherwise suitably secured.

Illustrative of one preferred embodiment of the invention, referenceism'ade to the accompanying drawing and following descriptionillustrating a preferred manner of constructingand using the invention.

30 In the drawing Fig. 1 is a transverse viewof a tunnel shaftingillustrating theimproved arch rib and a section of linerplate' assembledtherein;

Fig. 2 is a detail, transverse sectional view through one of the archribs as taken on the line 2- 2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a modified form of theinvention.

In the lining of tunnels and the like an arch rib is provided which maybe of suitable size to conform to the cross section of the tunnel shaft,such as circular, semi-circular or other shape. To these arch ribs arebolted the flanged liner plates which form the covering of the tunnellining and these plates may be of any approved construction, forexample, of the type and construction shown in my copending applicationSerial No. 100,'711.

In the illustrated embodiment a semi-circular tunnel lining isillustrated embodying a semicircular circumferentially extending archrib 10 to which the liner plates 11 may be secured as by bolts 12.

The arch rib is preferably in the form of a channel having a web portion15 and inwardly directed side flanges 16; the side flangesbeing formedwith bolt holes 1'7 for the reception of the bolts 12, so that the linerplates 11 may be bolted to theflanges 16 in such manner that the upperskin facevof the liner plates will be flush with the rib 15; Thisenables the erection of the lining with a minimum of excavation of earth18.

The channel shaped arch riblO may have any desired depth of web 15 anddepth of flange 16, suitable for the particular construction in which itis to be used and depending upon the load to be sustained by the lining.Hence the width of web particularly is subject to considerablevariation, and serves in part to provide the skin surface of the lining.

The channel rib 10 may, of course, bea rolled section but preferably itis constructed as' a pressed section. As such, the side flanges'lfi areflexible to an appreciable extent facilitating the accurate lining-up ofthe liner plates in assembling the lining.

The channel shaped arch rib 10 may be, in some instances, ofconsiderable width, as shown in Fig. 3. Adequate strength of the rib maybe provided by pressing in the web one or more of circumferentiallyarranged ribs 18 so as to re inforce said rib against deflection anddistortion due to the load above it. Likewise the flanges 16 may beformed with reinforcing ribs 19 (see Fig. 3) and advantageously thesemay be arranged at the lower edges of the flanges and project outwardlytherefrom to function as a stiffening member and also serving to providea support for the adjacent side flange of an adjoining plate. Thisenables a single workman to place and bolt the liner plate in position,as is obvious.

Advantages of my invention reside in the simplicity of construction, theincreased strength of the lining and the greater ease with which thelining may be erected. Inasmuch as the web of the arch rib constitutes aportion of the lining or skin surface, it is obvious that a fewer numberof liner plates are required, thus reducing the cost of both thematerial and construction of the lining.

Obviously my invention is not restricted to the precise details andarrangements shown but includes equivalent constructions andinstallations as well.

I claim:

1. A tunnel lining or like metallic structure comprising a plurality ofcourses, each made up of a series of flanged plates bolted together anda circumferentially arranged channel shaped band having dependingflanges disposed between certain of said courses, the flanges of saidband being free and independent of each other at their lower ends topermit flexing thereof and secured to the adjacent flanges of adjoiningplates. I

'2. A tunnel lining or like metallic structure comprising a plurality ofcourses, eachrnade up of a series of flanged plates bolted together anda circumferentially arranged channel shaped band-disposed betweencertain of said courses, the flanges of said band being free andindependent of each other and secured to the adjacent flanges ofadjoining plates, the web of said band constituting a portion of theskin surface of said lining.

3. A tunnel lining comprising a plurality of courses of flanged linerplates which, when assembled together, provided a skin surface of thelining, and a transversely extending circumferentially arrangedchannel-shaped arch rib disposed between certain of said courses toreinforce the lining, the side flanges of said arch rib being free andindependent of each other to permit' flexing thereof transversely ofsaid rib, and means for securing the side flanges of said plates to thesideflanges of the arch rib.

4. An arch rib for tunnel linings and the like adapted to be positionedbetween and secured to adjacent courses of liner plates, said arch ribcomprising a curved pressed section having a horizontally disposed weband inwardly extending side flanges free and independent of each otherat their inner ends to permit flexing thereof, and means formed in theside flanges of said channel whereby adjoining liner plates may beconnected thereto; I

5. An arch rib for tunnel linings and the like adapted to be positionedbetween and secured to adjacent courses of liner plates, said arch ribcomprisinga curved pressed section having a horizontally disposed weband inwardly extending. side flanges, the inner ends of the said flangesbeing free and independent of each other to permit flexing of the sideflanges transliner plates may be connected thereto.

6. An arch rib for tunnel linings and the like adapted to be positionedbetween and secured to adjacent courses of liner plates, said arch rib.plates may be connected thereto.

7. An arch rib for tunnel linings and the like adapted to be positionedbetween and secured to adjacent courses of liner plates, said arch ribcomprising a curved pressed section having a horizontally disposed weband inwardly extending side flanges, circumferentially arranged ribspressed in the web of said arch rib for reinforcing the web thereof, andmeans formed in the side flanges of said channel whereby adjoining linerplates may be connected thereto, and the inner ends .of the side flangesbeing free and independent of each other to permit flexing of the sideflanges transversely of the rib, the lower edge of said side flangeshaving a laterally offset portion and constituting a sup-port for anadjoining side of an adjacent liner plate.

8. An arch rib for tunnel linings and the like adapted to be positionedbetween and secured to adjacent courses of liner plates, said arch ribcomprising a curved pressed section having a horizontally disposed weband inwardly extending side flanges, circumferentially arranged ribspressed in the web of said arch rib for reinforcing the web thereof,and'means formed in the side flanges of said channel whereby adjoiningliner plates may be connected thereto, and means projeeting laterallyfrom the side flanges of said rib and constituting a supporting surfacefor the adjoining side of an adjacent liner plate. 1

9. An arch rib for tunnel linings and the like adapted to be positionedbetween and secured to 5 adjacent courses of liner plates, said arch ribcomprising a curved pressed section having a horizontally disposed weband inwardly extend ing side flanges, circumferentially arranged ribspressed in the web of said arch rib for reinforcing the web thereof, andmeans formed in the side flanges of said channel whereby adjoining linerplates may be connected thereto, and means for reinforcing andstiffening the side flanges of said rib including a part projectinglaterally from "i said side flanges and serving as a support for theadjoining side of a juxtaposed liner plate.

ARTHUR E. WILKOFF.

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